City Kids: Promoting community volunteering as a tool against unemployment and social exclusion in distressed urban areas

Background:

This project started out as a conversation among young people involved in the Big City Youth project. They wanted to explore how new thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset could help young people living in distressed urban areas overcome barriers and improve their future opportunities. Working with project partners from the field of social inclusion and employability of young people from distressed urban areas, the team defined the project’s objectives.

Project objectives: Turning Young People’s Ideas into Action

Focussing on young people in Estonia, France, Romania and the UK from communities facing significant social and economic challenges, the project aimed to promote volunteering as a starting point for employability. The project also looked to empower young people to recognise that each and any one of them could be agents of change.  Further aims were to bring the voluntary sector and labour market closer together, while encouraging young people to become more visible and active in their communities.

The project team developed creative thinking activities to help young people confront fears and discouragement often associated with educational, labour market or social barriers. They explored how teamwork, communication, organisation and problem solving can build valuable experience and strengthen a CV. Participants were introduced to practical tools for idea generation, strategy development and basic project management, enabling them to design and implement initiatives targeting urban challenges. These experiences not only supported their personal development but also laid the foundations for future youth led projects and new cross border partnerships.

Implementation: developing skills for real opportunities

There were four main phases for the project: preparation, an Advanced Planning Visit (APV), the Youth Exchange in Bucharest, and follow-up dissemination activities. All activities were designed to promote tolerance, teamwork, cooperation, experiential learning, innovation and critical thinking.

During the preparation phase, the project partners raised awareness locally, conducted research, held online networking meetings, finalised the project outline and established communication channels, responsibilities and timelines.

Two representatives from each of the partner organisations took part in the Advance Planning Visit in Bucharest, Romania where they met to discuss the project's logistics, inspected the venue, discussed some of the programme elements and carried out thorough risk assessment with consideration of the post-pandemic measures.

During the Youth Exchange, 60 young people and 12 group leaders came together for workshops covering soft skills, innovation, employability and social inclusion.  Participants represented urban communities facing socio economic challenges in the West Midlands (UK), La Bocca in Cannes (France), urban areas of Bucharest (Romania), and Telliskivi in Tallinn (Estonia). Many had experienced barriers linked to NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) risk and all participants were young people who know how tough urban life can be for a young person. For them, the project offered early intervention through non formal learning and volunteering.

The Exchange followed a simple three-stage approach.

1. Participants explored why soft skills and transversal competences matter for employment and social inclusion.
2. They identified their own strengths and areas for development, then practised these skills through workshops and volunteering.
3. They used what they had learned to create individual employment strategies.

Every participant developed a personalised Road Map to Employment, helping them identify realistic next steps towards further education, employment or self-employment. They also created EUROPASS CVs, giving them a clearer way to describe their skills and experience to potential employers.

One of the biggest highlights of the Exchange was the opportunity for participants to design and deliver their own community volunteering initiatives including “Feeding the Poor”, “Dancing to Cheer Up”, “Exercise Time”, “Keep It Clean” and “Save After Reading”. These initiatives enabled them to engage directly with local communities in Bucharest, experience real world impact and see how their actions could bring joy, support and positive change. For many, it was their first time leading a public activity, and the sense of achievement was significant.

Results: Confidence, Connections and Lasting Change

The results were significant. Participants reported improved teamwork, communication, adaptability, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, time management and the ability to “learn to unlearn”. These skills, rarely taught in formal education, are highly valued by employers even when not stated in job descriptions. More than half progressed into further education, including vocational and higher education, while others continued volunteering and several secured permanent employment.

A notable achievement was the follow-up employability campaign which the returning participants delivered in their own local communities. Participants used their new skills to motivate unemployed peers, acting as role models and showing that with the right support every young person can work towards their goals.

The project strengthened their belief that volunteering can transform lifestyles, build confidence and deepen community engagement.

Overall, the project has strengthened participants’ life chances, broadened their aspirations and empowered them to contribute actively to positive change within their communities.

Perhaps the most powerful outcome was witnessing young people transform, gaining confidence, overcoming fears, forming international friendships and discovering their ability to be agents of change.

To find out more about this case study, visit the Erasmus+ project database

'Erasmus+ funding is one of the most powerful catalysts for growth, confidence and opportunity that young people can access. It gives participants the chance to step outside their daily environment, meet peers from across Europe, and develop real skills that matter in life, work and community action.'